Tampa Bay area counties including Hillsborough and Pinellas have extended their states of emergency through October 15 to combat a rising dengue fever outbreak. The emergency declaration was originally set to expire on October 8 but has been renewed due to increasing case numbers. Hillsborough County has reported the highest number of cases with 259 confirmed infections, accounting for the vast majority of Florida’s total. Local health officials have implemented aggressive mosquito control measures including aerial spraying and interstate cooperation with Lee County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies dengue as a viral disease transmitted through infected Aedes mosquito bites. Symptoms typically include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and rash, and usually resolve within a week. While there is no specific antiviral treatment, medical professionals recommend rest, hydration, and acetaminophen for pain management.
Key Points:
- Hillsborough and Pinellas counties extended emergency orders through October 15 due to rising dengue cases.
- Hillsborough County has reported 259 dengue cases, making it the epicenter of Florida’s outbreak with 296 total cases in the state.
- Hillsborough County Mosquito Control has spent over $6 million on mosquito control measures including increased aerial spraying.
- Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by infected Aedes mosquito bites, with symptoms typically appearing within two weeks.
- Most dengue patients recover after about a week through rest, hydration, and acetaminophen, though rare cases can be serious or fatal.
